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Today is Curling is Cool Day, Digital Learning Day, Single-Tasking Day, National Chili Day, and Introduce a Girl To Engineering Day. And these are just a few of hundreds of examples of unusual holidays observed throughout the year. This hour we learn all about these unusual holidays and how they’re created. We discover why some people find joy in celebrating these days, and we talk with the creators of International Talk Like a Pirate Day, National Grammar Day, and Find Your Inner Nerd Day.

GUESTS: 
Marlo Anderson: Founder of the National Day Calendar
John Baur: Co-founder of International Talk Like a Pirate Day 
Martha Brockenbrough: Author, teacher, and creator of National Grammar Day
Holly McGuire: Editor-in-chief of Chase’s Calendar of Events
Beth Ziesenis: Author, speaker, and founder of Find Your Inner Nerd Day

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Today is Curling is Cool Day, Digital Learning Day, Single-Tasking Day, National Chili Day, and Introduce a Girl To Engineering Day. And these are just a few of hundreds of examples of unusual holidays observed throughout the year. This hour we learn all about these unusual holidays and how they’re created. We discover why some people find joy in celebrating these days, and we talk with the creators of International Talk Like a Pirate Day, National Grammar Day, and Find Your Inner Nerd Day.
GUESTS: 
<ul>
<li>Marlo Anderson: Founder of the National Day Calendar</li>
<li>John Baur: Co-founder of International Talk Like a Pirate Day </li>
<li>Martha Brockenbrough: Author, teacher, and creator of National Grammar Day</li>
<li>Holly McGuire: Editor-in-chief of Chase’s Calendar of Events</li>
<li>Beth Ziesenis: Author, speaker, and founder of Find Your Inner Nerd Day</li>
</ul>
Join the conversation on <a href="https://facebook.com/ColinMcShow">Facebook</a> and<a href="https://twitter.com/colinmcshow"> Twitter</a>.

The Colin McEnroe Show is public radio’s most eclectic, eccentric weekday program. The best way to understand us is through the subjects we tackle: Neanderthals, tambourines, handshakes, the Iliad, snacks, ringtones, punk rock, Occam’s razor, Rasputin, houseflies, zippers. Are you sensing a pattern? If so, you should probably be in treatment. On Fridays, we try to stop thinking about what kind of ringtones Neanderthals would want to have and convene a panel called The Nose for an informal roundtable about the week in culture.

<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/the-colin-mcenroe-show/about">The Colin McEnroe Show</a> is public radio’s most eclectic, eccentric weekday program. The best way to understand us is through the subjects we tackle: Neanderthals, tambourines, handshakes, the Iliad, snacks, ringtones, punk rock, Occam’s razor, Rasputin, houseflies, zippers. Are you sensing a pattern? If so, you should probably be in treatment. On Fridays, we try to stop thinking about what kind of ringtones Neanderthals would want to have and convene a panel called <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/tags/the-nose">The Nose</a> for an informal roundtable about the week in culture.

The Colin McEnroe Show

There’s always a reason to celebrate: A look at the world of unusual holidays

Revenge is as old as humanity itself. And new research shows that revenge functions in our brains like a type of addiction. This hour a look at revenge in politics, literature, and everyday life — and what it would mean if we treated revenge differently.

GUESTS:


James Kimmel Jr.: Lawyer, author, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine, and the Founder and Co-Director of the Yale Collaborative for Motive Control Studies. His new book is The Science of Revenge: Understanding the World's Deadliest Addiction--and How to Overcome It


Emily King: Visiting Assistant Professor of Writing and English at Washington and Lee University. She is author of Civil Vengeance: Literature, Culture, and Early Modern Revenge

MUSIC FEATURED (in order):


Il Trovatore: Anvil Chorus – Giuseppe Verdi, Budapest Festival Orchestra & Chorus


The Payback – James Brown


The Mariner’s Revenge Song – The Decemberists


These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ – Nancy Sinatra


Smile – Lily Allen


no body, no crime - Taylor Swift

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.

The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!

Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show, which originally aired on November 5, 2025.

Revenge is as old as humanity itself. And new research shows that revenge functions in our brains like a type of addiction. This hour a look at revenge in politics, literature, and everyday life &mdash; and what it would mean if we treated revenge differently.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
James Kimmel Jr.: Lawyer, author, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine, and the Founder and Co-Director of the Yale Collaborative for Motive Control Studies. His new book is <a href="https://www.jameskimmeljr.com/books">The Science of Revenge: Understanding the World's Deadliest Addiction--and How to Overcome It</a>
</li>
<li>
Emily King: Visiting Assistant Professor of Writing and English at Washington and Lee University. She is author of <a href="https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501739651/civil-vengeance/#bookTabs=1">Civil Vengeance: Literature, Culture, and Early Modern Revenge</a>
</li>
</ul>
MUSIC FEATURED (in order):
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGtCTH2C8RE">Il Trovatore: Anvil Chorus</a> &ndash; Giuseppe Verdi, Budapest Festival Orchestra &amp; Chorus
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cBZcpSeiFc">The Payback</a> &ndash; James Brown
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPAr7kL-mmg">The Mariner&rsquo;s Revenge Song</a> &ndash; The Decemberists
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM1kzbAgo_E">These Boots Are Made for Walkin&rsquo;</a> &ndash; Nancy Sinatra
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WxDrVUrSvI">Smile</a> &ndash; Lily Allen
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEPomqor2A8">no body, no crime</a> - Taylor Swift
</li>
</ul>
Join the conversation on&nbsp;<a href="https://facebook.com/ColinMcShow">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/colinmcshow">Twitter</a>.
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/newsletters">Subscribe to The Noseletter</a>, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.
The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-colin-mcenroe-show/id714179884">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0AXtqrzWounIoJyIqz003p">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9b6b3cee-f69b-4729-a78b-181f851d80e8/the-colin-mcenroe-show">Amazon Music</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/The-Colin-McEnroe-Show-p1208473/">TuneIn</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-colin-mcenroe-show-connecticut-public-lXR08dxQSM5/">Listen Notes</a>, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!
Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show, which originally aired on November 5, 2025.

What if we were addicted to forgiveness instead of revenge?

One of the most mysterious texts in the world lives here in Connecticut. The Medieval Voynich Manuscript is at the Beinecke Library at Yale University. Scholars have been trying for over a century to decipher it. This hour, we look at the Voynich and at other examples of mysterious manuscripts from around the world.

GUESTS:


Lisa Fagin Davis: Professor of Practice in Manuscript Studies at the Simmons University School of Library and Information Science and Executive Director of the Medieval Academy of America


Garry J. Shaw: Author and journalist covering archaeology, history, and world heritage. His newest book is Cryptic: From Voynich to the Angel Diaries, the Story of the World's Mysterious Manuscripts


David Weinberg: Podcast producer and writer. He is lead instructor for the Transom Traveling Workshops. He formerly worked at Marketplace and KCRW. He produced an episode about "Louie Louie" for the podcast Lost Notes

MUSIC FEATURED (in order):


Lost in Translation – The Neighbourhood


Columba aspexit, BN 54 – Christopher Page, Emma Kirkby, Gothic Voices


Secret Messages – Juliana Hatfield


The Book of Love – Mike Doughty


The Philosopher’s Stone – Van Morrison


Louie, Louie – The Kingsmen


Louie, Louie – The Sandpipers

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.

The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!

Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show, which originally aired on October 29, 2025.

One of the most mysterious texts in the world lives here in Connecticut. The Medieval <a href="https://beinecke.library.yale.edu/collections/highlights/voynich-manuscript">Voynich Manuscript</a> is at the Beinecke Library at Yale University. Scholars have been trying for over a century to decipher it. This hour, we look at the Voynich and at other examples of mysterious manuscripts from around the world.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
Lisa Fagin Davis: Professor of Practice in Manuscript Studies at the Simmons University School of Library and Information Science and Executive Director of the Medieval Academy of America
</li>
<li>
Garry J. Shaw: Author and journalist covering archaeology, history, and world heritage. His newest book is <a href="https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300266511/cryptic/">Cryptic: From Voynich to the Angel Diaries, the Story of the World's Mysterious Manuscripts</a>
</li>
<li>
David Weinberg: Podcast producer and writer. He is lead instructor for the Transom Traveling Workshops. He formerly worked at Marketplace and KCRW. He produced <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/shows/lost-notes/stories/louie-louie-the-strange-journey-of-the-dirtiest-song-never-written">an episode about "Louie Louie" for the podcast Lost Notes</a>
</li>
</ul>
MUSIC FEATURED (in order):
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quCfXrbqF0o">Lost in Translation</a> &ndash; The Neighbourhood
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puAOTgq3Wkc">Columba aspexit, BN 54</a> &ndash; Christopher Page, Emma Kirkby, Gothic Voices
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFff4cAOwNQ">Secret Messages</a> &ndash; Juliana Hatfield
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MU-auD2Y_wE">The Book of Love</a> &ndash; Mike Doughty
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8U4x6IoK3I">The Philosopher&rsquo;s Stone</a> &ndash; Van Morrison
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKt75jUuKJY">Louie, Louie</a> &ndash; The Kingsmen
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seVqkB3ObJk">Louie, Louie</a> &ndash; The Sandpipers
</li>
</ul>
Join the conversation on&nbsp;<a href="https://facebook.com/ColinMcShow">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/colinmcshow">Twitter</a>.
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/newsletters">Subscribe to The Noseletter</a>, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.
The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-colin-mcenroe-show/id714179884">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0AXtqrzWounIoJyIqz003p">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9b6b3cee-f69b-4729-a78b-181f851d80e8/the-colin-mcenroe-show">Amazon Music</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/The-Colin-McEnroe-Show-p1208473/">TuneIn</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-colin-mcenroe-show-connecticut-public-lXR08dxQSM5/">Listen Notes</a>, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!
Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show, which originally aired on October 29, 2025.

Mysteries, hoaxes, and magic: Decoding mystifying manuscripts

Sophocles' play Antigone was originally performed around 441 B.C.E., but the themes in the play still resonate today. This hour, we revisit the story of Antigone, and ask what it can teach us about compromise, wisdom, extremism, grief, and more.

Plus, a look at how modern productions are exploring new ways for audiences to engage with the ancient Greek tragedy.

GUESTS:


Elizabeth Bobrick: A Visiting Scholar in Wesleyan’s Department of Classical Studies. She also teaches for Wesleyan’s Center for Prison Education. Her Substack is “This Won’t End Well: On Loving Greek Tragedy,” and her writing has also appeared in The New York Times and Salon


Bryan Doerries: A writer, director, and translator who currently serves as Artistic Director of Theater of War Productions. He is author of The Theater of War: What Ancient Greek Tragedies Can Teach Us Today, among other books


Anna Conser: Assistant Professor of Classics at the University of Cincinnati

The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!

Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Colin McEnroe and Eugene Amatruda contributed to this show, which originally aired on September 25, 2025.

Sophocles' play Antigone&nbsp;was originally performed around 441 B.C.E., but the themes in the play still resonate today. This hour, we revisit the story of Antigone, and ask what it can teach us about compromise, wisdom, extremism, grief, and more.
Plus, a look at how modern productions are exploring new ways for audiences to engage with the ancient Greek tragedy.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
Elizabeth Bobrick: A Visiting Scholar in Wesleyan&rsquo;s Department of Classical Studies. She also teaches for Wesleyan&rsquo;s Center for Prison Education. Her Substack is &ldquo;<a href="https://elizabethbobrick.substack.com/">This Won&rsquo;t End Well: On Loving Greek Tragedy</a>,&rdquo; and her writing has also appeared in The New York Times and Salon
</li>
<li>
Bryan Doerries: A writer, director, and translator who currently serves as Artistic Director of <a href="https://theaterofwar.com/about/core-team">Theater of War Productions</a>. He is author of <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/217973/the-theater-of-war-by-bryan-doerries/">The Theater of War: What Ancient Greek Tragedies Can Teach Us Today</a>, among other books
</li>
<li>
Anna Conser: Assistant Professor of Classics at the University of Cincinnati
</li>
</ul>
The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-colin-mcenroe-show/id714179884">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0AXtqrzWounIoJyIqz003p">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9b6b3cee-f69b-4729-a78b-181f851d80e8/the-colin-mcenroe-show">Amazon Music</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/The-Colin-McEnroe-Show-p1208473/">TuneIn</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-colin-mcenroe-show-connecticut-public-lXR08dxQSM5/">Listen Notes</a>, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/newsletters">Subscribe to&nbsp;The Noseletter</a>, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by&nbsp;The Colin McEnroe Show.
Join the conversation on&nbsp;<a href="https://facebook.com/ColinMcShow">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/colinmcshow">Twitter</a>.
Colin McEnroe and Eugene Amatruda contributed to this show, which originally aired on September 25, 2025.

There’s always a reason to celebrate: A look at the world of unusual holidays

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